Considering relocating from Denver to Seattle area, advice?

Question

Me: 30's, software engineer, finishing a graduate degree. Usually prefer the suburbs or quieter neighborhoods to the city.

Nearby Cities I should consider? Job market woes I should know about? Bad/good companies to work for? General living things to consider? (Flooding, heavy rains, depression)

Or you can give me your personal experience about relocating there.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I moved from Colorado Springs to Issaquah, Washington (just a few miles east of Seattle). Redmond, Bellevue, and Issaquah are all good depending on where you're going to work. If you're going to be at Microsoft, you probably already know its primary campus is located in Redmond. We get a lot of grey days, but the rain is seldom heavier than a drizzle. Depression is a problem for some people in the winter months, as our days are so short (I happen to be one of them); I use full-spectrums fluorescents in all the fixtures in my home.

There are some occasional problems with flooding, but if you keep an eye on the weather reports, you'll generally know well in advance; it's certainly no more to deal with than Denver's occasional heavy snow.

It's more expensive to live here than in Denver, but it's also more cosmopolitan and has more cultural activities than Denver, particularly in the vicinity of the University of Washington campus in Seattle.

Western Washington (meaning the part west of the Cascades) is considerably more liberal than most of Colorado; whether that's good or bad is up to you, of course. Despite the grey days and the rain here, I really like it. We're getting into spring, and it's absolutely gorgeous here!

Answer 2

I would say living here that the best thing to do is look for a job first. Then find suburbs close to where you want to work. There is definitely lots to do here. I lived in Denver for 6 months and I can honestly say living the Pac NW most my life that Denver rain was scarier than Seattle rain. Denver tripped me out, with how it would just dump on you at 3p in the afternoon. Also coming down to sealevel you may find you have more energy and breathing capacity. Try to come right before the summer and hopefully you will get a decent summer to see that Seattle doesn't always have rain. The reality though is Seattle can be pretty gloomy at times. But Seattlites also enjoy the good days more because they are fewer and farther between.

Answer 3

There are lots of great suburbs to Seattle. The best are east of the city. Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and Issaquah. They are also incredibly expensive. But you will get the small, quiet suburb atmosphere. South of the city you have some nice pockets and some not-so-nice pockets. But you also find generally cheaper areas. North you get pretty much the same. As far as flooding, only certain areas that flood every year are really in danger. But with all the hills, it is hard to find these areas.

It does rain a good deal and there are lots of cloudy days. But you have to remember, that is what gives Seattle all the green landscapes. I would rather live in a rainy forest then a sunny desert.

Answer 4

You should consider Bellevue, Wa. It is about 10 minutes from Seattle. Becoming a city of its own(about half the size of Seattle) bellevue is a very nice community to live in. If you still want a quieter neighborhood I would try issiquah about 30 minutes from Seattle. A very nice place to work at is Amazon.com which is head quartered in Seattle. Also Microsoft. Lots of computer engineering up here! We don't usually have Floods here and it does rain quite a bit but not as much as you would expect. Depression? Hope this helps!

Answer 5

You would have to watch out for the heavy rains we have been getting the past few winters. I would consider moving to Bellevue, especially the pikes peak/ Cherrycrest area, because thats right between the two bridges to Seattle, which cuts down on your commute, and you're very close to the downtown area of Bellevue, which has tons of entertainment, yet you are in a very foresty wooded area taht is great for kids.

Answer 6

Bellevue or Kirkland are awesome and right outside the city. I was going to move there and those would be my pics for you! Good luck and congrats!

Answer 7

Do it.